2008 India: 06 Jaipur - The Majestic Allure of the Pink City...

"If you are bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals..." - Lou Holtz

(Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, Jaipur)

Day 06: 30 December 2008

Route: Jaipur City Tour

Hotel: Maharani Hotel, Jaipur

After a good night rest, today we planned for a self-tour of Jaipur's attractions.

Often called the “Pink City,” Jaipur is where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously. Within its terracotta walls, the city bursts with colour - bustling bazaars filled with silver jewellery, glass bangles, colourful puppets, and handcrafted textiles. The Palace Quarter lies at the heart of the city, encompassing the Hawa Mahal, formal gardens, and a small lake. Crowning the hill to the northwest stands Nahargarh Fort, watching over the old city like a silent guardian.

(Bright pink coloured shops and restaurants)

(Elephant on the road, a typical scene)

(Getting used to elephants on the street of Jaipur)

Our first visit was to the magnificent Amber Fort, a 16th-century masterpiece that once served as the capital of the Jaipur State until 1728. Perched above Maota Lake, the fort’s artistic design reflects a perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal influences. Visitors could either drive up by car or ascend the hill on the back of a decorated elephant. Inside, we explored the Jagmandir (Hall of Victory), glittering with mirrors, the Jai Mahal, and the Temple of Kali - each corner echoing with stories of royal grandeur and devotion.

(Amber Fort - A UNESCO World Heritage Site)

(Blending Hindu and Muslim Mughal architecture)

(Clothes washing in Amber Fort) 

(Ganesh Pol, a gate at the Amber Fort)

(Intricate sculptures adorning the roof)

(An old paintings on the wall)

(Decorative marble walls)

(The view of the Fort from the upper floor)

(One of the many courtyards in the Amber Fort)

(Elephant ride in the fort)

(Waiting patiently for our turn)

(Colourful dressed ladies selling local snacks)

(Visiting the Modern Art Museum)

(One of the many museum galleries in the fort)

(Trying out the local snacks by the roadside)

Next, we visited the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds - a five-storey Baroque-like façade adorned with 953 small windows. Built so that the royal ladies could observe life on the streets below unseen, the breeze flowing through these intricate windows gives the palace its name, keeping it cool even in the heat of summer.

(The Maharaja City Palace)

(Hawa Mahal was built in 1799)

(Constructed from red and pink sandstone)

(It is an extension of the City Palace)

(Circular arrangement of guns on display)

The nearby City Palace stood as a majestic blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, part of which now serves as a museum showcasing miniature paintings, royal costumes, manuscripts, musical instruments, and ancient weapons - offering a glimpse into Jaipur’s royal past.

(A variety of hand-made crafts at the souvenir shop)

(Colourful Indian puppets)

Another highlight was the Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its massive sundials and celestial instruments - some still functional - continue to measure time and track the movement of stars with astonishing precision.

(Collection of astronomical instruments)

(One of astronomical instruments in the courtyard)

(The largest observatories in the world)

Our final stop was the Jal Mahal, or Water Palace, a Rajput-style structure set gracefully in the middle of Mansagar Lake. Though the lake dries up during the summer, the winter rains transform it into a shimmering mirror for the golden palace, surrounded by floating water hyacinths and the distant hills beyond - a fittingly tranquil end to our journey through the regal splendour of Jaipur.

(A beautiful reflections of Jal Mahal and the mountains)

(The lakes dries up during summer)

(A foggy day at the Water Palace)

👈2008 India: 05 Jaipur - Tourist Hub of Rajasthan...

2008 India: 07 Agra - Where Love Never Dies...👉